Indian Govt Issues Advisory Against Novel Coronavirus

The Union Health Ministry has issued a travel advisory to travelers visiting China amidst novel coronavirus outbreak in the neighboring country.

According to WHO, an infection with a novel coronavirus has been reported from China. As on 11 January, at least 41 confirmed cases have been reported so far, of which one has died. Only travel related cases have been reported (one each) in Thailand and Japan. The clinical signs and symptoms are mainly fever with a few patients having difficulty in breathing.

In a press statement issued by the health ministry, the mode of transmission of the disease is unclear as of now. However, so far there is little evidence of significant human-to-human transmission, it said.

Although as per WHO’s risk assessment the risk for global spread has been stated as low, as a matter of abundant precaution, the travelers to China are advised the following:

Travelers to China should follow simple public health measures i.e. they should observe good personal hygiene and wear a mask if you have respiratory symptoms such as cough or runny nose

All travelers to China (in particular Wuhan city) should monitor their health closely. “If a traveler is feeling sick and have fever and cough, they should seek medical attention promptly.

“If a traveler feel sick on flight while traveling back to India, then s/he should inform the airlines crew about illness, wear mask and Follow the directions of airline crew while disembarking,”

“Report the illness to the nearest health facility and also inform the treating doctor regarding your travel history, if a traveler feel sick within a span of one month after return from China,” mentioned the advisory.